Burning Man 2018: Teamwork

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I’d like to dedicate my 2018 burning to the principle of TEAMWORK.

We all arrive on the playa, as prepared as we can be, only to discover we need things we don’t have.

That’s where our camp mates come in.

Whether it’s providing lotion for dry hands, clamps for a shade canopy too big for its frame, or a spatula to flip eggs with, your team mates come through for you.

Personally, I love it!

It’s great to fill a need that exists.

Whether it’s a camp mate, a neighbor, or just a random burner on the playa.

And truthfully, it’s remarkable how quickly needs get fulfilled on the playa.

They say “the playa provides” and this year it feels so true.

Only it’s not the playa.

It’s the magical people who inhabit the playa.

So if you were to ask me, two day in, what I feel is a developing theme at this burn, without hesitation I’d tell you TEAMWORK!

Here’s my “TEAM” on the playa <3:

Copyright Tripod (Kevin Price)

 

Trick or Treat: A Glimpse into Narnia

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Every Monday night, a group of enterprising burners band together to trick to treat the nearby camps and Center Camp.

It’s a 2+ hour event where we wander all over asking for treats.

If we visit a camp that doesn’t have treats, we play a trick.

I dressed up as the St. Pauli Girl.

We also had a devil/angel, a Power Ranger, a zebra, two bees, a witch, a Minecraft robot and much much more.

We  managed to procure:  stickers, caramel corn, lollipops, quesadillas (made by flame thrower – see pic, below), etc.

We happened upon a camp and yelled, “TRICK OR TREAT!”

They opened up the door of a closet and it led to a chamber where we could walk into a cuddle puddle / chill space.

It was like opening a door to Narnia.

All that walking did me in and I was in bed at midnight, resting peacefully.

I know, I know.

Next time I will stay out longer.

Day 2: Adventuring

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The day started with a dust storm to end all dust storms.

It was so dusty that they closed Gate and were turning people around at Nixon because no more cars were allowed on the playa.

Crazy!

And back at camp, my camp mates and I were trying to set up a 20 foot by 20 foot shade structure during the worst of the dust storm.

You try it and see how far you get.

Nevertheless, chores were completed.

Naps were attained.

And I even took a “shower” with baby wipes before getting out of camp for the first time.

My first stop?

Ali Bar Bar!

I went to find friends and say hello.

After Ali Bar Bar, Tejas and I rode out to Planet Earth where it was 80s night.

I was served a very small margarita by a very flirtatious bartender.

She held my hand.

Gazed in my eyes.

We had a moment.

Then Tejas got lost and we wound up at Hardly’s Saloon where I partook in a SHOTSKI (a row of shot glasses affixed to a “ski” or board which makes everyone take a shot at the same time).

Mine was apple schnapps, I think.

Finally, on to HomeBrew Camp where we chatted up the bartender and drank beers.

And finally, we went home. . .

. . .where we were met by a dear friend enjoying his first burn.

He shared an ENTIRE bottle of Oban single malt with us before I finally crawled into my bed and slept.

Burning Man, I love you!

Burning Man 2018: Venturing Out

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It’s a well known fact that I have a hard time seeing at night.

As I’ve gotten older, it’s gotten worse.

So night time on the playa is particularly challenging for me.

You’d think with all the bright lights, navigation would be a snap.

But in reality, all the lights make it challenging for me to navigate.

And THE ONE PLACE WHERE LIGHTS ARE NEEDED – the street signs – there are NO LIGHTS!

WTF!?

So I literally have to bike up to the sign and squint at it in the dark in order to read it.

This is why I travel with friends.

It’s much easier to just follow a friend with good spatial awareness than it is to get lost for hours trying to find your way home on the playa.

Then again, not all who wander are lost.

There is something to be said for charting new territory.

Here are some night shots from my Burning Man adventure:

Weather

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It’s my LEAST favorite kind of weather at Burning Man.

It’s windy.

And all that wind kicks up the dust.

White out conditions?

We got ’em!

Enough dust in the sky so we can’t see the sun?

Check.

Getting every molecule of your body covered in dust?

Yup.

I’m hunkering down in Tejas’ RV right now.

Avoiding the outdoors.

My hair feels like straw

There’s a fine coating of dust over my entire body.

All I’m dreaming of is my sister’s waterfall shower.

How good will it feel to get clean again?

Fucking awesome.

Just so you know, here’s a clip of the weather when Tejas and I waited at Gate for 4 hours for entry the Saturday BEFORE Burning Man started.

Le sigh.

Burning Man 2018: Beauty

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It takes less then 24 hours for the playa to destroy your brand new gel manicure.

I’m not kidding.

My nails are destroyed.

My perfectly blown out hair is a hot mess.

Playa dust sticks to everything, including your hair, making it sticky and hyper-texturized so much so that you can barely run a brush through your hair.

If you shower, you need to IMMEDIATELY dry your hair or risk absorbing all the dust in the air into your freshly washed hair.

I learned this the hard way when I went on a bike ride into deep playa during a dust storm in 2015 right after I washed my hair in camp.

My dust storm this week happened while I was riding home with a friend from 9:00 and A to 6:00 and E (the long way, not the Esplanade way).

We rode our bikes to Tejas’ RV.

In a dust storm.

Riding into the wind.

When I arrived at the RV, My eyebrows and my formerly jet black lashes were “playa dust white.”

And yet, despite the elements, playa women look magically sexy and beautiful.

And I’m not talking about the ones who look like they’re fresh from the default world.

No, I’m talking about the ones who look like they’ve been up all night dancing in a dust storm at Opulent Temple.

I’m talking about the ones who look a little “rode hard and put away wet” but also wear a smile that could power a million light bulbs.

Inner radiance.

That’s where true beauty lies.

Le sigh

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First Saturday night on the playa.

I envisioned myself sitting in camp, socializing with friends into the wee hours of the morning.

Laughing.

Telling jokes.

Or perhaps hopping on my bike and taking a little tour of our growing city.

I DEFINITELY didn’t picture what happened.

I drank TOO MUCH gin TOO QUICKLY and had to go to bed.

Le sigh.

Tejas, on the other hand, stayed out all night and didn’t return until the sun was coming up.

Le stud.

Burning Man Essentials: Miscellaney

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Bungee cords.  For EVERYTHING! Binder clips come in handy.
Multi tool.  Can’t survive without one. Light.  For ambiance, natch!
Industrial power cords.  For those with power. Your own personal mug WITH a lid.
Handheld radio.  To listen to BMIR. Batteries, in all shapes and sizes.
Zip ties.  For everything.  Especially lights. Big ziploc bags.  To put your stuff in.
Bins.  For packing all your things.  Get clear. Handheld fan/mister.  For when it’s hot.
Two way radio.  For dust storm friend retrieval. Bike.  The wider the tires, the better.
Hamper used as garbage receptacle.  For  MOOP. Heavy duty garbage bags to line your garbage receptacle.
Duct tape.  For everything. Safety pins.  For costumes, etc.  Comes in handy.
Bike repair kit.  Definitely needed. Dry oil for your bike.  Don’t drip it on the playa!
Bike lock – to secure your bike. Carabiners.  For attaching things to you and your camp.
Work gloves.  Protect those hands! Headlamp.  For night time trips to the porto.
 Clippers.  For removing zip ties, etc.

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Burning Man Essentials: Accessories

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LED hair accessories.  Fun and functional. Glow in the dark skeleton hands – fun and creepy!
Lightweight backpack for gear/water on the playa. Less lightweight but more stylish backpack if you’re inclined to go that way.
FAUX FUR fox tail.  Cheeky! Lightweight parasol.  To protect you from the blazing hot sun.
Tribal necklace.  Instant outfit. Furry leg warmers.  Very cute for playa bunnies.
Furry RAINBOW leg warmers.  Hardcore! Fishnet gloves.  Easy accessory.
Long fishnet gloves.  Perfect with almost anything. Shoulder holster.  Looks great on men and women.
Leather utility belt.  You need space to stash your stuff. Holographic/iridescent fanny pack.  For the ladies.
Men’s tactical fanny pack. Pasties.  Enough said.
Festival hat (this one is mine). Burning Man hat.  Can’t believe you can buy this on Amazon!
Steampunk hat.  Stylish on men and women! Cyber locks.  For when you’re having a bad hair day.
Dread falls.  Like cyber locks but with yarn. Keychain/pendant.  Can’t believe you can buy this on etsy!
Men’s harness. Edgy! Women’s harness.  Perfect peeking out under a tank top or over a bikini.
White wige – to save you from a bad hair day. Ombre wig.  Complete your outfit with a colorful wig!
Antlers.  Doh! Iconic Burning Man look on Pinterest.  Buy the top on etsy here.
See iconic Burning Man look., above  Get tribal necklace. Pixel boa.  Because sometimes a light up jacket is just too hot!

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Burning Man Essentials: Food and Water

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Here is an idea of some of the food and supplies you may want to bring with you to Burning Man. Some require a cooler, others require no refrigeration. How simple or how complex your food is is totally up to you. I tend to eat good food on the playa just because I don’t have much of an appetite so eating something really delicious motivates me to keep eating and not skip meals, which is so crucial when consuming a steady stream of alcohol. Not that I do that (wink).

Another list I want to share is Dazzle’s 2012 Packing List (LINK) which is categorized so you can read about whatever topics interest you – kitchen supplies, food, ice, etc.

Bacon.  Best thing on the playa.  Burners love our bacon! To keep your electrolytes balanced.  Just add water.
For those of you choosing a simple meal plan. Delicious and nutritious on the playa.
Almond butter.  Mmmmmm! Trail mix.  Delicious AND portable.
Beef jerky.  Gotta keep a steady influx of salt in your diet. Pickles AND pickle juice!  Yum!
Hard boiled eggs. Very portable and no MOOP because it’s already peeled. Salty nuts.  Delish!
Chili.  Another easy food choice.  Eat straight from the can. Dual hydration chamber.  One for water, one for electrolytes.
Aquatainer for water.  This one is the collapsible kind. Coconut water.  Full of electrolytes and delicious!
Dried apricots.  Yummy! Instant coffee.  You WILL need this.
Mountain House instant meals.  So easy!  And packed full of the salt your body needs. Kind bars.  Portable and tasty!
My stove.  Collapsible and durable.  Has survived several trips to the playa. Single burner stove.  For when you don’t plan to cook much.

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